Switch – How nodes/switches communicate between each other

ipmac addressosiswitch

fWe know that they only care about the first 3 layers of OSI-Model so when a node receive the data from a PC/Server, it goes up to layer 2 (Here is MAC address) and then it goes up to Network layer (3) where it's now IP. Then :

  • How this node knows the route to follow to the other node ?
  • How do they communicates ?
  • Do they use Ethernet ?
  • If yes, the internet is then considered as a local network ?

Further :

  • Can I consider my house and my equipment as a LAN ? And then I saw that nodes connections are known as Internet/Network but they use Ethernet and Ethernet is used in local network so should we consider the connections between nodes as a local network ?
  • And we know that Ethernet is asynchronous so the Internet is asynchronous because it uses Ethernet ?

Best Answer

Let me try to unpack some of your questions.

First, many of the terms you use, like "local network" do not have precise definitions. They can mean different things depending on the context.

How this node knows the route to follow to the other node ?

The short answer -- it doesn't. Nodes (or hosts) only know if the other host is on its local network or not. If not, the sending host forwards the data to the configured gateway.

How do they communicate?

I'm not sure what you're asking here.

Do they use Ethernet?

Ethernet is by far the most common layer 2 protocol for local area networks and some wide area links, but there are others for longer distance links. Older technologies such as SONET, frame relay, TDM, are still in use. Also, consider that Wi-Fi, which is very common for local area networks, is not Ethernet.

If yes, the internet is then considered as a local network ?

Ethernet is a layer 2 protocol. It was originally designed for use in local area networks, but as the technology matured, other uses were found for it. Now it is used for some long-haul links. The protocol does not define whether a network is "local" or not.

Internet providers do not exclusively use Ethernet, especially on long distance links.

Finally, the definition of "local" is...well, there isn't a clear definition. Most would agree that your home network is a local network. Whether two connected nodes are "local" is dependent on the context.

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